Ameliorative Potential of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Vernonia Amygdalina (Bitter Leaf) on Selected Renal and Hematological Parameters of Rats Exposed to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)

The ameliorative potential of aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) on selected renal and hematological parameters of rats exposed to premium motor spirit (PMS) was investigated using standard analytical methods. Thirty-six healthy albino rats weighing 75-200 g was purchased and housed in plastic cages of six groups with six rats each. Improvised method of nose inhalation was adopted for exposure to PMS. Rats fed with normal rat chow constituted the group A (negative control). Group B (positive control) was exposed to PMS vapour for 5 hours daily. After five hours of daily exposure to PMS, the remaining groups (C–F) received 0.3 mg/kg of vitamin C, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of Vernonia amygdalina aqueous leaf extract, respectively. Treatment lasted for 28 days during which rats were exposed daily and after each daily exposure, the cages housing the rats were transferred to a PMS vapour-free environment. The quantitative phytochemical composition of Vernonia amygdalina leaves extract showed that it is rich in catechin (192.06 ppm) followed by kaempferol (71.97 ppm) and genistein (39.85 ppm). The renal parameters: urea, creatinine, chloride ion (Cl-), potassium ion (K+), and calcium ion (Ca+) were significantly elevated (p<0.05) in comparison to the normal control rats. However, there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the hematological indices of rats in group B when compared with group A. The administration of Vernonia amygdalina aqueous leaf extract reversed the effect in every biomarker. Histopathological examination of the kidney showed histological normal liver in normal control rats and distortion of kidney sections in rats exposed to PMS vapour which was corrected by aqueous leaves extract of Vernonia amygdalina at two higher concentrations (200 and 400) mg/kg. Finally, it can be advised to prevent PMS damage because the aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina clearly showed a beneficial modulatory effect on the renal and hematological parameters of albino rats subjected to PMS.